I got this email from a reader over the weekend and replied that I’d write a post on SectionHiker with my response . Feel free to weigh in if you have an opinion (with a comment). Dear Philip, You could be a …
Read More »For Beginners
What Backpacking Gear Should You Bring for Cold, Wet Weather?
Scenario Analysis On my latest Appalachian Trail section hike from Southern New Jersey to Southern Connecticut, I hiked 173 miles over a 14 day period in cold and wet weather. While I could give you a blow-by-blow account about each item on …
Read More »How Big is Your Headlamp?
“If you need a headlamp (in the beginning of June), you’ve messed up your trip planning,” said a very experienced hiker I know. Even so, I still carry one in summer because there are many things that you can’t control on a hike that …
Read More »How to Find a Lost Hiker
This is a scenario we all dread: you’re on a group hike and one of the hikers in your group disappears. How can you prevent something like this from happening? What can you do to find them? Prevention Keep your group together …
Read More »The Benefits of Peakbagging
A lot of hikers look down at peakbagging as a motivation to get out and hike. I certainly viewed it with suspicion until I learned more about it. I got my first glimpse into the joys of peakbagging when I was hiking …
Read More »What is the Footing Like in the White Mountains?
I’m co-leading a Backpacking Fundamentals trip in two months with Andrew Skurka, and one of our students contacted me over the weekend for help with his homework. He’s been assigned the Footing section of the Environmental Conditions Assessment we have students collaborate on …
Read More »Leave No Trace Camping
One of my facebook readers left a comment yesterday, questioning why anyone would bury the ash generated by a wood stove (see my Solo Wood Stove Review) when it would naturally dissipate on its own. Burying my ashes is one of the …
Read More »Etiquette for Snoring Backpackers and Campers
Do you snore on backpacking or camping trips? Does it disturb the people you’re with or others who share the same campsite with you? If so, you need to take responsibility for your ‘condition’ and reduce its impact on others. Here are …
Read More »How to Buy a Hiking Rain Jacket
Buying a rain jacket for hiking and backpacking can be a very confusing process. If you look at the jackets that are available, it can be difficult to figure out which ones are best suited for hiking and which are really made …
Read More »Practice Hikes by David “AWOL” Miller
In 2004 I met a couple thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and asked if they’d taken any practice hikes. The husband said; “We didn’t want to take any practice hikes before our attempt because we were afraid that we might not like hiking.” …
Read More »Advanced Hiking Footwork
Have you ever observed the footwork of a very experienced hiker? They tend to walk very efficiently, at a constant pace, often without looking at their feet. It’s something I do unconsciously now, but it took a couple of year of serious …
Read More »Tent Stakes: How Many? What Kind?
When I go backpacking, I carry a small stuff sack with my tent stakes and extra cordage. I typically carry betwen 6 and 11 tent stakes with me, extra paracord and Kelty triptease. This is one of the more general purpose elements …
Read More »The Tentative Quilter
Have you ever used a quilt instead of a sleeping bag on a backpacking trip? I confess, I haven’t. But I took my first tentative step in that direction on my last backpacking trip. Instead of a quilt, I used the 50 …
Read More »How to Become a Better Hiker
I love day hiking, backpacking, peak bagging, long distance trekking: you name it. Being outdoors and propelling myself on my own two legs gives me tremendous joy…even when it rains. I also derive tremendous satisfaction from learning and using new hiking, backpacking …
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